Go Behind-the-Scenes: Comments on 'Treasures of New York: The New York Botanical Garden'

During a live chat hosted by Thirteen and The New York Botanical Garden, visitors watched the Treasures of New York special online, with access to behind-the-scenes and expert commentary on the garden’s collections and history via a virtual panel. The panel included Ally Gimbel, producer of the Treasures of New York episode, and Todd Forrest, Arthur Ross Vice President for Horticulture and Living Collections for the New York Botanical Garden. Enjoy highlights of the panel discussion below.

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Todd Forrest: "The Palm Dome features the world's largest collection of new world palms under glass."

Ally Gimbel: "When we interviewed Francisca [Coelho, Vivian and Edward Merrin Vice President for Glasshouses and Exhibitions], she told us that she has to check the ceiling in the palm dome every day in case one of the palms was growing too tall and might break the glass. I thought that was so crazy!"

Todd Forrest: "Palms continue to grow upward and could easily push through the glass. We sometimes remove panes of glass when the flower stalks of agaves grow too tall."

Photo courtesy of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library.

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Todd Forrest: "[Ally], I am so glad you were able to get the Native Plant Garden into the piece."

Ally Gimbel: "Me too. I can't wait to see what it grows into!"

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Todd Forrest: "It's great to see many seasons compressed into only a few seconds. Ally [Gimbel] and the Treasures of New York crew did such a beautiful job."

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Todd Forrest: "It is fun to get to see the towering piles of herbarium vouchers...The mounters sure have their work cut out for them."